Parks and Greenways Master Plan

In 2017 Metro Parks and Recreation released their updated Master Plan. “Plan to Play” tells the story of what is needed to help the park and greenways system grow and thrive in the coming years. For more information, visit theplan to play website.

As of 2017, Nashville has 86 miles of greenway trails (including paved, off-street and multi-use trails), plus over 150 miles of primitive and paved trails in local parks. About 5 new miles of greenways have already received funding and are in the design or construction phase, with more miles of greenway targeted for completion over the next several years.

Current Projects

Cumberland River Greenway – Opry Mills ConnectorMetro was awarded a grant from the Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) to build a greenway along the Cumberland River to connect Shelby Bottoms and Stones River Greenway with Opry Mills. This greenway will connect Donelson/Hermitage, Downtown Nashville, and East Nashville to Opry Land and Opry Mills, and will allow tourists to get around without a car. You will probably be able to bike to the mall faster than you can drive!

Mill Creek Greenway – Mill Creek to Orchard Bend ParkOpening in 2019, this new 2.25 mile greenway will connect the existing trailhead at Mill Creek Park to a new trailhead at Orchard Bend Park, a park that will also be opening this year. This exciting extension means that the Mill Creek Greenway will now connect five neighborhoods, two parks, and two schools over the course of four miles along Mill Creek.

Mill Creek Greenway – Low Water BridgeIn partnership with the Cumberland River Compact, Metro Parks removed an aging creek crossing on Mill Creek Greenway and this summer will replace it with a low water bridge which, in the future, will serve as a connection for nearby neighborhoods to Mill Creek Park via the Greenway.

Whites Creek Greenway at Fontanel – Pedestrian BridgeThis summer Metro Parks will install a pedestrian bridge connecting Phase One and Phase Two of the Whites Creek Greenway at Fontanel.

Browns Creek GreenwayBrowns Creek Greenway at Fair Park will open this spring. The new park also includes a dog park and multi-purpose athletic fields.

Gulch Greenway – North GulchAn extension of the Gulch Greenway in the heart of downtown will connect the existing greenway with a new park at Capitol View. We’re grateful to Boyle Nashville, LLC for partnering with Metro to make this connection happen.